Brisbane City Council introduces 'access for all' play policy

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has announced a policy that will see all new playground equipment installed by Brisbane City Council include disabled access. As a result play equipment that can be used by children with a disability will be rolled out across the city.

Lord Mayor Quirk said the City Council will, within months, begin installing all-abilities play equipment such as swings that can be used by mothers with prams and people in wheelchairs, stating "I think it's important to recognise that 3% of our population have a profound disability (and) a further 3% have a severe disability."

Planning for the new equipment is under way but it will not be rolled out until the parks damaged during January's floods have been fixed.

It is not yet known just how much the initiative will cost but it will be included in the city budget that will be released in June.

Lord Mayor Quirk also announced a five-year plan aimed at making all aspects of Brisbane more accessible would be released for public consultation next month, adding "this is very broad plan and it is a discussion paper that does look at easier access in all its forms around our city easier access to buildings, easier access walking the streets of this city, easier access in our parks."

Carers Queensland Chief Executive Debra Cottrell has welcomed the proposal, stating "having places that families can choose to go to that are safe and fun for all the family is really important to carers.

"It's always hard for people to get access and it's not until you are in that situation that you realise just how difficult it is."

Image: Play in Brisbane's Calamvale District Park.

9th February 2010 - BRISBANE’S PARKS PROMOTED AS PLACES FOR FUN, VISITS & PLAY